American Valor Quarterly Issue 10 - Summer 2013 | Page 3

American Valor Quarterly
A Publication of the American Veterans Center
www.americanveteranscenter.org
World War II Veterans Committee
www.wwiivets.com

Spring 2013
Special Features
The 15th Annual Conference
Each year for Veterans Day weekend, the
American Veterans Center & World War II
Veterans Committee brings together
distinguished veterans where they share
their experiences with students and future
military leaders. Here, we recap the
conference and spotlight their stories.

5

The American Veterans Center Awards
The AVC honors veterans and service
members from World War II to today in what
is now the first and only awards show
honoring those who deserve it most: our
veterans and military heroes. These are
their stories.

8

- In This Issue The 15th Annual
Conference & Awards
No other event in the country draws together American heroes from World
War II to today like the American Veterans Center’s Annual Conference. This
issue of American Valor Quarterly recaps the most recent conference, spotlights the stories of the past year’s honorees, and features first-hand
accounts from several of the speakers.

29

Articles

17

24

Special to AVQ
General Colin L. Powell
Capstone Remarks to the
15th Annual Conference
One of America’s most recognizable
veterans, former Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State
General Colin Powell closed the first day of
the AVC’s 15th Annual Conference. Here,
we print the transcript of his remarks.
The Turning of the Tide
A Submariner’s Story of the Battle of
Midway
By Hank Kudzik
The stunning and decisive victory of the
United States in the Battle of Midway had
many authors. Yet, if not for the daring of
the submarine Nautilus - and a subsequent
chance encounter - that victory may never
have happened.

31

Let’s Not Forget Peleliu
& The Pacific Theater
By R.V. Burgin
Prior to landing on Peleliu, Marine Corps leadership believed that the
island would be secured within four days. Due to strong fortifications
and fierce resistance, the battle lasted for more than two months.
The National Museum of the United States Marine Corps has called
Peleliu, “the bitterest battle of the war for the Marines.”
With the Marines at Tarawa
The WWII Story of a Marine & Combat Cinematographer
By Norman T. Hatch
The Battle of Tarawa proved a bloody affair, as U.S. forces faced a
tenacious and unyielding enemy; of the 3,636 Japanese soldiers who
made up the garrison, only one officer and sixteen enlisted men were
willing to surrender. This is the story of the Marine combat
cinematographer whose work during the battle would earn him an
Oscar.

Plus

36

Preserving the Legacy & Honoring the Sacrifice
The story of an Idaho schoolteacher determined to ensure that her
students fully appreciate the sacrifices made by our veterans.

Read their stories...then meet them in person!

On the cover...
A battle map depicting the operations leading to
Midway. Accompanying photos, from L to R:
wreckage of a Japanese destroyer, the USS
Yorktown in battle, SDB Dive Bombers prepare to
attack, and Midway as seen during the war.

Turn to page 40 to learn how you can attend
the 16th Annual Conference and “celebrate
Veterans Day in the company of heroes.”

AMERICAN VALOR QUARTERLY - Spring 2013 - 3